A scarce complete first French edition of this noteworthy eighteen volume history of Europe, in very attractive leather binding.

Written by Bernard Germain de Lacepede, known primarily for his work in the subject of natural history, the work offers excellent background into the wider history of the continent up until the early nineteenth century, dealing with general, physical and civil matters and offering a rare and influential overview.

Perhaps known primarily for his contributions to Comte de Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, Lacepede was a prominent academic before, during and after the French Revolution, an event which would endanger his life due to his outspoken opposition to the atrocities of the Great Terror, with this, his last work, published after his death in 1825.

A fellow of the Institute of France, the Royal Society and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, as well as the grand chancerllor of the Legion of Honour and a peer of France during the Bourbon Restoration, Lacepede here used his considerable means and intellect to create a groundbreaking work.

A remarkable set, presented beautifully.

CONDITION

In calf binding with gilt detailing. Externally quite smart, there is minor wear to the boards, joints, extremities and backstrips. Internally, the pages are firmly bound but are somewhat creased, with light spotting in many areas. Overall: VERY GOOD INDEED.